Honda Seeks to Adjust R&D System in China, New Models to Be Developed by Joint Venture Partner

IT Home reported on April 24, according to Kyodo News, Honda announced on the 24th that it plans to sell electric vehicles in the Chinese market that are primarily developed by its joint venture partners, under the Honda brand. Facing increasingly fierce competition from local brands and a continuous decline in sales, Honda is seeking to adjust its R&D system in China to revitalize its business.

Dongfeng Motor Group and GAC GroupLaunch new models of electric vehicles developed by each company.Honda will advance product development while finalizing the above.Integrate how many technologies and patentsand the detailed parts.

The report points out that while Honda has always valued independent research and development, it is now shifting towards expanding cooperation with rapidly growing competitive Chinese companies. Moreover, Honda has also started to import electric vehicles produced in China back to Japan.

According to a previous report by IT Home, the Honda Insight will officially go on sale in the Japanese market starting April 17. Notably, this model is manufactured in a Chinese factory and then imported back into Japan—a practice making Honda the first Japan-based automaker to adopt such a strategy.

This Insight is based on the 2024 Dongfeng Honda e:NS2 model (starting at ¥159,800–¥179,800). To adapt to the Japanese market, Honda has implemented several modifications, including converting to right-hand drive and localizing the charging system.